Bill to replace ordinance on Jallikattu to be placed in Assembly: Governor

Chennai: Observing that a "mass movement" and "spontaneous outpouring of emotion" paved the way for lifting of the ban on Jallikattu, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao Monday said a bill to replace the ordinance would be "placed" by the state government in the Tamil Nadu Assembly "immediately."

"The unprecedented and spontaneous outpouring of emotion and sentiment in a completely orderly and peaceful manner by lakhs of youth, supported by common people across the state, has received the solidarity of Tamil people across the globe to conduct Jallikatu and preserve Tamil cultural heritage," he said, even as the opposition DMK staged a walkout.

In his maiden address to the Assembly in its first session this calendar year, Rao said, "This mass movement has paved the way for lifting the ban on Jallikattu."

The state government, after receiving Centre's assurance on its support for efforts to conduct the sport, had followed the constitutional route and issued an ordinance amending the relevant provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, he said.

He expressed happiness over the sport being held yesterday in the state.

The traditional sport, which was banned by the Supreme Court in 2014, was organised in several parts of the state yesterday, following promulgation of the ordinance on Saturday for conducting the bull taming sport.

"As a permanent measure to allow the conduct of Jallikattu, a bill to replace the ordinance will be placed before this august House immediately," the governor said, as the DMK staged a walkout.

Soon after Rao started his address, DMK members led by their leader MK Stalin rose and sought to raise some issue. With the Governor continuing to read out his address, they soon staged a walkout.

The assembly is meeting for the first time after former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's death on December 5, 2016.